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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CS 101-2"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Computer Science"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Stefano Gazziano
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 7:30 PM 8:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course introduces students to the modern, state-of-the-art Information Technology, and provides them the adequate skills in basic computer science to professionally use IT in the context of a traditional liberal arts education of critical thinking and problem-solving, and in a standard business environment. 

CS 101 is an introductory course intended for beginners in PC/Mac usage. No previous experience or skills is required  in computer science, Office application (i.e.  Word, Excel, PowerPoint or similar software), image processing or compression tools.  

Prospective students may question or comment on our FB page: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/CS101-Introduction-to-Computer-Science-at-JCU/484088545020165 
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Cloud computing: the new paradigm.  Sharing data and assignments over the net.  Local application v/s cloud suites.

Organizing and managing your own data: file systems and file/folder management.

Computers architecture and technology

Networks architecture and protocols. Data storage and backup Local Area Network, Intranet, Internet . Access to data at different locations

Software layers: operating systems and application software

Software tools: compression/decompression, basic image processing.

How to trouble shoot basic issues on computers (plugging in laptops to overheads etc.) and  how to use a computer and do basic troubleshooting; how to move to another computer

Internet as a source: searches,  information from the web; evaluating sources of information

Microsoft Office  versions and common features: ribbon, status bar, tabs and groups, universal tasks, clipboard.

Microsoft Word, introduction and professional document formatting, table of contents, sections, styles, themes, tables, document review

Microsoft Excel: introduction, data entry, formatting data, formulas, basic functions, charts.

Microsoft Power Point: slides, input modes, animations, rules for a good presentation.  

Creating multimedia documents with advanced presentation tools (e.g. Prezi, Lucidpress) and copyright issues associated with digital sources

Computer and network security : viruses, frauds, fishing, spoofing, scam, secure protocols,  safe user behaviour.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will understand how a computer works and will be able to trouble shoot basic issues. Students will learn how data, documents  and files are stored and retrieved at different locations: personal laptops, office PC, internet "cloud". 

 At the end of the course the student will possess the basic required skills to make a professional use of Information Technology in a standard modern business and college environment: writing clear, well formatted papers and presentations; use basic data manipulation; use the internet as a source of information and be able to assess its reliability; care of personal security issues. 
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class testsMultiple choices tests or practical exercises will be scheduled and are an integral part of student assessment.30
Class participationsAttendance and active participation in class, contribution to teaching by sharing experiences, workgroup. 10
Midterm 30
Final 30

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Week

Class contents

Homework

1

Intro  - Prof presentation 
Course  goal and requirements:

Program of classes, general rules in class

Cloud computing simple applications: class roster on Google Drive, shared compilation.

File systems, file and folder management.

Google  spreadsheet common user info practice

2

Computers architecture and technology

Networks and protocols

Network storage of data. Data storage, local, intranet, extranet

Access to data at different locations

Personal laptops correctly connected

3

Software Layers: operating systems and application software. Local applications

Personal productivity software, cloud/local, Open Office, alternative suites

Software tools: compression of files , basic image processing.

Basic PC troubleshooting

 

4

Internet as a sources of information. Searching with Google; reliability of the sources.

Databases v/s Search Engines searches

Test multiple choice: PC / Network architectures

5

MS Office intro. Office versions and  common features: ribbon, status bar, tabs and groups, universal tasks, clipboard.

MS Word 1 : introduction and professional document formatting.  How to include text and pictures from external sources. Summaies, sections, shortcuts. How to use Microsoft help web site and tutorial courses. MS Word tabs and command groups

 

6

MS Word 2 : applying a style and a theme to Word documents, automate production table of contents, customized cover page, tables, document review, comments, header and footer, footnotes

Class test word

7

Recap and Midterm week

 Midterm test on MS Word

8

MS Excel 1 – basics, workbook and spreadsheets, tabs and command groups, formatting cells.

 

9

MS Excel 2 – formulas and functions

 

10

MS Excel 3  - charts

Class test Excel

11

Presentation tools: Powerpoint

Powerpoint test

12

Presentation tools: Prezi, Lucidpress, multimedia documents and copyright issues

 

Multimedia doc test

13

Privacy and personal data protection on the Internet. Mobile computing, location based services.

Computer and network security : viruses, frauds, fishing, spoofing, scam, secure protocols,  safe user behaviour.

Data presentation test

14

Recap before finals

 Final test
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week

Class contents

Homework

1

Intro  - Prof presentation 
Course  goal and requirements:

Program of classes, general rules in class

Cloud computing simple applications: class roster on Google Drive, shared compilation.

File systems, file and folder management.

Google  spreadsheet common user info practice

2

Computers architecture and technology

Networks and protocols

Network storage of data. Data storage, local, intranet, extranet

Access to data at different locations

Personal laptops correctly connected

3

Software Layers: operating systems and application software. Local applications

Personal productivity software, cloud/local, Open Office, alternative suites

Software tools: compression of files , basic image processing.

Basic PC troubleshooting

 

4

Internet as a sources of information. Searching with Google; reliability of the sources.

Databases v/s Search Engines searches

Test multiple choice: PC / Network architectures

5

MS Office intro. Office versions and  common features: ribbon, status bar, tabs and groups, universal tasks, clipboard.

MS Word 1 : introduction and professional document formatting.  How to include text and pictures from external sources. Summaies, sections, shortcuts. How to use Microsoft help web site and tutorial courses. MS Word tabs and command groups

 

6

MS Word 2 : applying a style and a theme to Word documents, automate production table of contents, customized cover page, tables, document review, comments, header and footer, footnotes

Class test word

7

Recap and Midterm week

 Midterm test on MS Word

8

MS Excel 1 – basics, workbook and spreadsheets, tabs and command groups, formatting cells.

 

9

MS Excel 2 – formulas and functions

 

10

MS Excel 3  - charts

Class test Excel

11

Presentation tools: Powerpoint

Powerpoint test

12

Presentation tools: Prezi, Lucidpress, multimedia documents and copyright issues

 

Multimedia doc test

13

Privacy and personal data protection on the Internet. Mobile computing, location based services.

Computer and network security : viruses, frauds, fishing, spoofing, scam, secure protocols,  safe user behaviour.

Data presentation test

14

Recap before finals

 Final test